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Be aware about development, says Punchinilame

Conflicts within a society subjected to a war-mentality is not surprising. But instead of forming into groups and engaging in clashes what the people must do today is to gain a proper awareness about the current developments in the country and act with restraint as it will help the cause of national integration and unity and sustenance of the country, said Susantha Punchinimale, Minister of Estate Small Holder Development.

The Minister in a release said yesterday damage to property, loss of lives, inflation, economic downfall, social insecurity and damage to the country's image had been a legacy of a 20-year protracted war left for the Sinhalese in the South, Tamils in the North and other communities.

Although the country was decimated by war the previous regime placed people in a war-mentality to satisfy the desires of warmongers. As a result more and more soldiers lost their lives at the war-front and their names came to be perpetuated as war heroes, the Minister said.

Punchinilame said they did not object to the honour bestowed on fallen war heroes as they had laid down their lives to protect the motherland but what they detested was the militarisation of the society which resulted in its wake.

The release said: "Now we do not hear anymore about killings on the battlefield and women becoming widowed enmasse.

"Although the war has ended, the war mentality will haunt the society for quite sometime. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has shown that he is a person who visualised war from a different angle. The Prime Minister placed scant faith in arms and ammunition. Instead he has entertained greater hopes for the country and its people and we should all treasure his stand.

"The Prime Minister's line of action is a good example for leaders who boasted about false victories in the past dreaming of the Nobel Prize.

"As citizens of this country what we must do is to act with restraint and understanding with a proper awareness of the current developments without trying to get divided into factions and engage in clashes.

"Such prudent action will greatly help to ensure the unity and progress of the country by creating national integration." 

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